Based on coverage from CBC, CTV, and CityNews Montreal.
On a crisp Tuesday morning in Montreal, a routine school bus ride turned into a scene of unexpected drama when an electric school bus caught fire. Thankfully, this story has a happy ending: all five children aboard and their quick-thinking driver escaped unharmed.
The incident unfolded around 8 a.m. near the bustling intersection of Jean-Talon Street and Victoria Avenue in the Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce borough. The bus driver, noticing an unusual odour, acted swiftly, pulling over and evacuating the young passengers to safety in a nearby building. It's a testament to his vigilance that everyone was out before the flames engulfed the vehicle.
Firefighters arrived in under five minutes, a response time that would make any Montrealer proud. Despite their speedy arrival, the bus was beyond saving, charred and windowless by the time the flames were subdued. The fire was contained within an hour, with four firefighters tackling the blaze.
Now, before anyone jumps to conclusions about the hazards of electric vehicles, let's clear the air. According to Martin Guilbault, division chief with the Montreal Fire Department, the fire was not sparked by the bus's battery. "It has nothing to do with the fact that the bus is electric," he assured. It seems the culprit might be the heating system, which had just been turned off when smoke began to rise from the vents—a scenario reminiscent of a similar incident in Ascot Corner, Quebec, last November.
The bus in question was a product of Lion Electric, a company that has had its share of ups and downs. After facing financial struggles and entering creditor protection last December, Lion Electric was relaunched in May with a renewed focus on electric school buses. At the time, there were about 1,000 of these buses in circulation across Quebec. However, questions linger about whether maintenance services had resumed as planned, a detail the company has yet to clarify.
The Centre de services scolaire de Montréal, responsible for the children on board, emphasized the rigorous mechanical inspections their contracted vehicles undergo. They are working closely with Transco, the private carrier operating the bus, to determine the fire's cause. Meanwhile, parents were promptly informed, and another bus was dispatched to ensure the children made it to school.
While the investigation continues, this incident serves as a reminder of the importance of safety protocols and the human element in crisis situations. The bus driver’s quick actions undoubtedly prevented what could have been a far more serious outcome. As for the electric bus, it remains a symbol of the growing pains associated with transitioning to greener technology—a journey that, while not without its hiccups, is crucial for a sustainable future.
In the end, this story is less about the fire itself and more about the resilience and preparedness of those involved. It's a testament to the community's ability to respond effectively in the face of unexpected challenges, ensuring that safety remains the top priority.
